[Morbidmuch]

I'm writing a LotR fan fic through the eyes of an OC, and it's time to write the battle of Pelennor Fields. The problem is, I'm not sure how to write a battle scene. Also, the story is in first person, which also complicates things. And for the third, English isn't my first language, and I find it hard sometimes to find the right words to keep it in "Tolkien-spirit".

[NeumeIndil]

I'll help with the English issues. I taught ESL writing in college and work with a few ESL writers on here. Binka can vouch for me.

[RobinKa]

Yeps, I can. Neu's been my beta for some 7,5 years now

[Viv]

Well, you're writing the story, not Tolkien. So think about your character and use words and sentence structure that feels right for that character. And don't stress too much about sounding Tolkienesque. Most of us riff off Tolkien, we don't pretend to immitate him.

Best luck! Pelennor is such a mine of angsty sweaty hollering goodness.

[NancyBrooke]

Yeah, what Viv said ... also, don't feel like you have to tell the reader about every sword stroke. You're telling a story, not giving a play x play. Remember what you're story is about - What's this Orc all about anyway? Why do you want us to know about him? etc. - and tell that story through the action.

I do like to choreograph everything and do all the logistical planning, but most of it doesn't make it onto the page because sword strokes don't tell the story, they support the story.

With apologies for holding myself up as an example, but you might read the latter chapters of my work "Who The Sword Devours" and the notes for an example of what I'm talking about.

[NeumeIndil]

7 1/2 years?!?!?!? My gods time flies when you're having fun (or have no earthly idea what you're doing! ).

I have to admit, when it comes to writing battle scenes, I chicken out. I have one called "Berzerkergang" that's essentially a warrior on the Pelennor going through a dis-associative episode, which from what I understand is somewhat normal in people who have been through fire fights and massive traumas. It gave me the ability to have a 3rd person narrator inside the head of the OC going through and around the battle field as a combatant without having to tackle something so foreign to so many of us (thankfully).